In U.S. Club Soccer, carding is the process of registering a player with a team and the organization to confirm eligibility for sanctioned competitions, including leagues and tournaments like the Elite 64 (E64). Players or their guardians submit information such as name, date of birth, a photo, and typically a birth certificate for age verification through their club’s registration portal, which connects to U.S. Club Soccer’s system. Once approved, players receive a digital or physical player card, used by coaches or referees to verify roster compliance before matches. This ensures adherence to rules on age groups (e.g., U7-U19), roster sizes (varies by age, often 18-26 players), and participation limits.

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U.S. Club Soccer permits crossover within its platform. A player carded with one U.S. Club Soccer team can play for another team under the same organization, such as through guest playing or dual rostering, as long as they meet event-specific guidelines. For example, a player might join another U.S. Club team for a tournament like E64, provided the roster doesn’t exceed the maximum (e.g., 26 for 11v11) and the player’s age aligns with the team’s division. This flexibility allows players to gain experience or help teams short on players, similar to USYS and USSSA.

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Unlike MLS Next, which restricts players from playing outside its ecosystem, U.S. Club Soccer encourages broader participation within its framework. However, players must avoid scheduling conflicts between teams and comply with rules on primary versus secondary rostering, which may differ by state or event. For instance, E64 follows U.S. Club Soccer’s carding policies but may have stricter roster deadlines for national events. Always confirm with your club and check U.S. Club Soccer’s event-specific bylaws to ensure compliance.